Man convicted of charges stemming from assault with screwdriver

A man accused of threatening his ex-girlfriend with a screwdriver in the presence of her children has been convicted of charges related to the 2014 incident.

A Sacramento County jury found Allen Dee Taylor, 31, guilty of felony false imprisonment with use of a screwdriver, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and child endangerment.

On Aug. 11, 2014, Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 hang-up call at Taylor’s residence. Deputies noted that Taylor appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. When Taylor’s ex-girlfriend attempted to remove the children from the home, he armed himself with a screwdriver, took hold of the woman, pressing the weapon into her side and threatening her if she tried to leave, according to a Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office news release.

Taylor refused to follow a deputy’s command to drop the weapon. When the officers drew their weapons, Taylor corralled the crying children behind him, authorities said.

Other officers arrived to distract Taylor. They were able to gain control of the screwdriver, and Taylor was arrested after a brief struggle.

Taylor is to be sentenced Oct. 10 by Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette.